Receptacle stacking device



June 28, 1960 R. E. PADDOCK RECEPTACLE STACKING DEVICE Filed Oct. 9, 195'? if I INVENTOR. 13W Pad afoot? GZZ, 8 2 4 United States PatentO RECEPTACLE STACKING DEVICE Raymond E. Paddock, Prospect Heights, 111., assignor to Egrifii Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation nos Filed Oct. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 689,120

10 Claims. (Cl. 211-126) The present invention relates to improvements in recept acle stacking means for connection to a pair of superposed receptacles of like shape and size whereby said receptacles may be retained securely as a built up unit while premitting access to the interior of the receptacles from all sides.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a stacking device of the character indicated which may be readily attached to or detached from the receptacles cooperating therewith without requiring tools or the use of special skill.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a simple and inexpensive yet sturdy receptacle stacking device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a pair of loaded receptacles having receptacle stacking means embodying the features of the present invention operatively applied thereto. a

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the receptacle stacking device as it appears when detached from the receptacles.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the stacking device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1.

For the purpose of illustrating the use of a receptacle stacking device in operative relation to a pair of superposed receptacles of like shape and size, the drawings disclose such receptacles in the form of trays 19, such as used in the storage and transportation of packaged sweet bakery goods and bread. Each receptacle preferably comprises a rectangular open frame providing a marginal lip portion 11 which forms downwardly and inwardly offset extension of a marginal bottom portion 12, wire strips 11 welded or otherwise secured to the lip 11, and wire strips 12'- similar fastened to the portion 12 in criss-cross relation to the wire strips 11- provide a grid-like bottom across the space between the portions 12 at opposite sides of the receptacle 10. Side walls extending upwardly from the outer limits of the marginal bottom portion 12 include a lower portion 13, an intermediate portion 14 and an upper rim 15. The intermediate portion 14 is offset outwardly to provide an upwardly facing ledge 16. As will be noted from Figs. 4 and 5, the intermediate side wall portion 14 extends upwardly and inwardly from the ledge 16 to define a pocket facing inwardly of the area enclosed by the side walls of the receptacle 10. It will also be observed that 2,942,734 Patented June 28, 1960 the rim 15 is made up of a hollow bead developed by outwardly curling the upper edge of the side walls.

A stacking device embodying the features .of this invention preferably comprises a generally rectangular open frame Work of rod-like construction having opposed side members and end members in spaced apart relation eonforming to the rectangular outline of the receptacles 10 so as to have entry to the space within the side walls of such receptacles as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each side member includes a lower runner section 17 located centrally of the distance between the end members as shown in Fig. 3. Reference numeral 18 denotes upper runner sections forming extensions ofeach lower runner section 17 at opposite ends of the latter, said upper runner sections being offset outwardly of a vertical plane coincident with the lower runner sections 17. The upper runner sections are adapted for upward engagement with the under face of the ledge 16 of the uppermost receptacle 10, as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the opposed end members also includes an upper runner section 19 centrally of the distance between the side members, said upper runner sections 19 being horizontally aligned with the upper runner sections 18 of the side members whereby said upper runner sections 19 have upward engagement with the under surface of the ledge 16 of the upper receptacle 10, as shown in Fig. 5. A leg 20 extends downwardly from each end of the upper runner sections 19 and a similar leg 21 extends downwardly from each of the ends of the upper runner sections 18 at the ends most removed from the lower runner section 17 of each side member. The legs 20 and 21 are joined in pairs at respective corners of the framework by means of a bridging member 22 connecting the lower ends of said legs. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each of the legs 2i) and 21 is inclined inwardly and downwardly from its associated upper runner section while the bridging member 22 is offset outwardly in relation to the lower endsof the legs joined thereby. In order that the bridging sections 22 may have entry to the receptacle 1% preparatory to positioning the stacking device Within the lower receptacle 16, as shown in Fig. 4, the bridging member is moveable relative to its associated runner section in a direction'inward of the framework in repsonse to inward flexing of the framework and normal stresses within the framework provides expansion means for applying a holding pressure to the internal surfaces of the pocket defined by the intermediate side wall portion 14 and the ledge 16 so as to prevent unintentional withdrawal of the stacking device from the lower receptacle 10. It will be noted that the lower runner section 17, as shown in Fig. 4, has downward engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the marginal bottom portion 12 of the lower receptacle when the bridging members 22 are engaged with the upwardly facing surface of the ledge 16.

The present invention accordingly provides an arrangement of vertically spaced receptacles in combination with a stacking device which is'convenient and easy to apply as well as to remove from operative assembly with the receptacles, and also provides for the spacing of such receptacles at a distance apart afiording necessary clearance for free access to the contents of the lower receptacle while the receptacles are in stacked relation.

What is claimed is:

l. A stacking device for removable attachment to an open top receptacle for supporting a second like receptacle in spaced superposed relation to said first receptacle, said device comprising an endless generally rectangular open framework of rod-like construction having opposed side members and opposed end members, said side members each including a lower runner section adapted for engagement with upwardly facing internal dosages i of a vertical plane coincident with and forming exten-' s'ions, of, each lower runner section at opposite ends of {the latter, 's aidtulpperlninner sections beingadapte'd 'for V upward engagementfwith downwardly facing external sii'rfacesof. the seeondreceptacfie along opposite side walls Ofj3i1d above the lower limits ofjsaidsecond: receptacle,

saidoppos'edend membe'rsiof said framewor k each in eluding anupper runner section inn-horizontally coplanar alignment with t'he upper runnerilsections of the side :menib'ers, a leg extending downwardly from each end of said upperrunner section of said end members and a leg extending downwardly from each of the ends of said upper" runner sections of said side members remote from its associated lower runner" section, saidfleg's of said end members and side members being'joined" in pairs'at reing member connecting the lower ends of said legs;

' Z A stacking device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each bridging member includes a: portion in-corner ward relation to the legs joined thereby which is ofiset outwardly in relation to the lower ends ofthe legs joined thereby. V V 1 i i V 3. Arstacking'device in accordance with claim 1, wherein. said legs are inclined inwardly and downwardly and eachfbridging member includes, portions which are offset outwardly in relation, to the lower ends of the legs joined herebya it 1 4. Ajstacking device in accordance withjclaim l, wherein saidupper runner sections of the side members and portions of the bridging members extending longitudi V nally of said 'latter runner sectionsare internally stressed to normally occupy vertically aligned positions, and each bridging member is movable relative to. its associated 7 runner section in a direction inward of said framework V spect'iye corners of'the framework by means of a bridga wardly from said marginal bottom portion, a rim at the upper limits of said side wall, and a ledge between said marginal bottom portion and said rim from which said side walls rise upwardly and inwardly, and a stacking device for supporting said receptacles in stacked relation at a selected distance apart including a rod'like frame having upper portions-engaging downward facing surfaces of saidledge in-the upper receptacle and having lower portions engagihgtupwa'rdi facing surfaces of said ledge. "on: the. lower receptacle when said receptacles are 'in' .'crticaliy alignedrelat'ion. t

6. The combination in accordance with'clairti 5, Wherein said stacking device is provided with means for eflecting interlo c k in g engagement with a'pocket defined by the ledge of said lower-receptacleand the surface of the side wall extending upwardly from said ledge.

'7. The combination 'in accordance with claim 5, wherein said stacking device is provided with yieldable means for establishing'interlocking engagement witha pocket defined by the ledge of saidlower receptacle and the surface of the side. Wall extending upwardly from said a l d in response to inward flexing of the leg joining said bridging member and said associated runner section so asrto' 1.

7 apply holding pressure to internal surfaces of the 'first receptacle engaged by said bridging member siwhen said tacler a V a V a a 5.; The combination of a pair ofre ceptacles of like size and shape, eachgreceptacle having amarginal bottom device is. operative position relative to said first recepxportion of rectangular outline and side walls risingup- 8. The combination in accordance withclaim 5, wherein each of said receptacles 1's nestable within the other receptacle to a depth wherein the-rim of the outermost receptacle engages the. downwardly facing surface of the ledge on the innermost receptacle.

'9. The combination in accordance with claim ,5, wherein. the upper and lower portions of the stacking device are joinedby Imeans, inclnding a bridge member having a downward engagement with upwardly facing surface of the. marginal bottom portion. of. the second receptacle;

' 10. A stacking device in accordance :with' claim 1, wherein said bridgingm'embers occupy a position in. upwardly ofiset relation to *the ,positionpccupied by the lower runner sections of said, side members. f

: References Cited inithe file of this patent UNITED, STATES, nATENTs 659,894 Osburn Q'ct. 1'6, 1900 886,324 Norris Ap1z 28, 1908 2,204,446 Robinson June '11, 1940 2,360,218 7 1 Gavin Oct. 10, 1944 2,782,936 Lockwood Feb.'26,- 1 957 

